FBI joins search for suspects in slaying of Chicago officer

July 19, 2010

The FBI has joined in the search today for the men who gunned down a Chicago police officer as he returned home after working the overnight shift guarding Mayor Richard Daley's house.

Police believe Officer Michael R. Bailey was killed Sunday morning outside his Park Manor home by men trying to rob him or steal his new Buick Regal -- a gift the officer had bought for himself in anticipation of his retirement in a few weeks.

Bailey, 62, a 20-year veteran and a married father of three, was about a month away from turning 63, the mandatory retirement age for Chicago police officers.

Bailey was in his uniform shining his prized black Buick when he was attacked about 6 a.m. in the 7400 block of South Evans Avenue, police said. He identified himself as an officer before exchanging gunfire with at least one attacker, a source said, citing early reports.

FBI officials said they have joined the search for Bailey's killers and are offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest of the people responsible for the killing, said Ross Rice, an FBI spokesman. The Fraternal Order of Police Chicago Lodge 7 also said today they are offering a $25,000 reward.

Bailey's son, Michael, was home, grabbed one of his father's guns and ran outside to defend him, police said. It was unclear whether the son fired any shots at the attackers. A neighbor, Idella Jennings, said she saw him standing over his father yelling, "Daddy, get up!"

Bailey was lying on the ground in front of his car. Nearby was a bottle of Windex.

"He's had the car three weeks. Every time he came home, he wiped it down," said Angelece Cook, whose husband said he ran to Bailey after shooting and felt his pulse.

According to police bulletins, officers are seeking an older-model tan Ford pickup truck that may have bullet holes on the driver side. It was last seen heading south on Evans.

As many as 17 police evidence markers were placed around the crime scene, apparently showing the locations of shell casings and what appeared to be a handgun. Three guns were found, one of them belonging to Bailey, police said.

The killing marks the third shooting death of a Chicago officer in the last two months.